Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States, which is set aside for remembering the people who died while serving in the country’s armed forces. The holiday originated as Decoration Day in 1868, after the Civil War when the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans founded in Decatur, Illinois, established it as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the Union soldiers with flowers. By the 20th century, competing Union and Confederate holiday traditions, celebrated on different days, had merged, and Memorial Day eventually extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military service.

Memorial Day is also the unofficial start of the summer season. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like the weather got that memo for Columbia County.

Whatever your plans for the day (and beyond) include, if you know a veteran who is struggling with life, please call the Veterans Crisis Line, 1-800-273-8255.